The 4th anniversary of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is approaching. Ahead of the special livestream, countdown illustrations for each faction are being revealed on the official Lounge. From Goddess, Old Tales, the Crown Kingdom, to Four Beasts—familiar faces who played active roles in their respective stories are gathering one after another.
This is not merely bringing familiar faces together for a reunion. Some are preparing to fight the Queen for lost comrades, some for a home to return to, and others for the family they have finally found. As the stories built up through main chapters, events, and side stories converge in one place, we take a brief look at the strength of key factions and squads, along with what this battle means to them.
※ Contains spoilers up to Main Story Chapter 48 and GINGERBREAD HOUSE.
Goddesses Who Fought for a Century, Returning to the Battlefield Goddess · Pioneer
Key Characters: Snow White, Scarlet, Rapunzel
Having fought for a century for humanity, a battle they must end still remains. This is the story of Snow White, Scarlet, and Rapunzel, who carry on the name of Goddess. After suffering a devastating defeat against the Queen, they have risen once more. Snow White obtained new armaments, Scarlet equipped the body of her sister Rose, and Rapunzel acquired the equipment of Red Shoes. Carrying both their lost comrades and the memories they protected, this is truly a regrouping for the final showdown.
To them, the Queen is not only the enemy of humanity, but also the one who stole Liliweiss, their most precious comrade. Will they be able to put an end to the battle they have fought while wandering the surface for so long? Now, it is a matter of tenacity over noble causes. The time has come to bring an end to the fight of the Goddesses of Victory.
Writing a Happy Ending Together This Time! Old Tales
Key Characters: Cinderella, Siren, Grave, Hansel, Gretel
Following Cinderella and Siren, Hansel and Gretel have joined. The scattered members of Old Tales have finally gathered in one place. Though they all once fell, they held hands and stood up together. To protect each other, and to fulfill the mission left unaccomplished back then, they faced the scars left on one another and prepared to move forward together as a family once more.
More protagonists now join the story that Grave protected. Mori remains with Bernoullia to guard the home they will return to. Having a place to return to and someone waiting for them makes this foray all the more special for Old Tales. Having rewritten a fairy tale shattered by tragedy up to this point, all that remains is to write a happy ending together, doesn't it?
Wherever Her People Are, the King Shall Go Crown Kingdom
Key Characters: Crown, Chime, Kilo, T.A.L.O.S., Marian
The Crown Kingdom cannot be explained by Crown and Chime alone. There are Kilo and T.A.L.O.S., who defended the kingdom together in LAST KINGDOM. Kilo, who couldn't find a place to belong, did not run away when the kingdom faced crisis. She resonated her Core with T.A.L.O.S. to face Talkative, ultimately protecting where she belonged. With Crown's combat power, Chime's support, plus Kilo and T.A.L.O.S., it can by no means be considered a small kingdom.
Crown, Chime, and Kilo appear together in the D-5 illustration as well. Marian, who lived in the kingdom with them, is also indispensable in this battle. Those who gathered to protect the kingdom are now riding out for their people. A king who brought laughter with quirky remarks yet never backed down when protection was needed, and comrades who found their place beside her—one hopes they return safely to the kingdom this time too.
Side by Side with Yesterday's Enemies, the Goal Is the Same: Strike the Queen! Four Beasts
Key Characters: Leviathan, Behemoth, Ziz, Bahamut, Only One
Four Beasts, who once blocked the Commander's path every time they appeared, now move toward the Queen alongside Counters and Snow White. The addition of four Heretics' power to the friendly side alone changes the weight of their total strength. That doesn't mean they suddenly opened their eyes to love for humanity, however. The Queen, who targets their Dark Matter, has become an enemy Four Beasts must face to survive as well.
They, too, have gained family they want to protect: Only One, whom they brought into the world. Though they bicker and act clumsy, their desire to protect each other and Only One is undeniable. Do the four beasts, who were once fearsome enemies, not look a little different now? Standing up not out of their own desires alone, but for family and friends—what will they show us in the final showdown?
Can the Ultimate Shield Return Once More? Eden
Key Characters: Johan, Cecil, Papillon, Noah
Eden once boasted technology that overwhelmed the Ark and the combat power of Inherit. However, its state following GODDESS FALL is tragic. They lost Isabel and Harran, and Noah was completely destroyed. They are no longer a force that can fight alone. Eden's defeat felt less like the defeat of a single faction and more like a defeat for all of humanity.
Fortunately, a way back has opened. Cecil, having secured the Ark's Nikke manufacturing technology, set out on restoration through new bodies, and Johan has listed Noah for recovery as well. But nothing is set in stone yet. Current Eden is less a completed elite force and closer to a place attempting to rebuild fallen comrades. Can the ultimate shield rise again? It might prove to be the most critical card in this final battle.
The Force That Protected the Ark, Now It's Time to Reclaim the Surface The Big Three, Elite Squads, and Andersen
Key Characters: Matis, Absolute, Aegis, Ark Rangers
The Ark's flagship squads are also preparing for the decisive battle. Matis bolstered its strength with bodies upgraded by Syuen and made great strides alongside Ark Rangers intercepting Annihilio flying toward the Ark. Absolute underwent Tactical Up, enhancing sniping, firepower, and support capabilities to stand against Heretics. Aegis also added strength to the frontlines by transporting Matis's upgraded equipment aboard the Admire. Having protected the Ark from their respective positions, they are now gathering to reclaim the surface for humanity to return to.
And when discussing them, Andersen is a figure that must be mentioned. The legendary commander who led Goddess and now serves as the Ark's Deputy Chief. While he couldn't step to the forefront for certain reasons, the situation is different now. Dorothy was lost, and the Goddess Squad has also assembled. He is such a key figure that no story about this final showdown can be told without him. Fans, too, are anticipating 'that scene' where Andersen and Goddess meet.
Ultimately, they are the core. The Ark's forces have the most to protect and the most to lose. They can be considered an indispensable asset in this battle.
The Three Who Were Together from the Start, Now at the Center of the Final Battle Counters
Key Characters: Commander, Rapi, Anis, Neon
Recalling when they first set foot on the surface, today's Counters squad has changed immensely. Rapi inherited Red Hood's power, Anis found her star once again, and Neon showed her sincerity for firepower through a new body. The three, who grew while overcoming crises together, now stand at the center of a massive war—though their lively chatter remains as constant as ever.
Recently, they headed toward the Orbital Elevator where the Queen resides alongside Snow White and Four Beasts. Under the Commander's leadership, they are fighting alongside Heretics who were once their enemies. Ultimately, this is a story started by the Commander and Counters, and the moment to bring that story to an end has finally arrived.
Two Figures Impossible to Take One's Eyes Off Until the Very End Dorothy · Marian
And in the final showdown, two figures cannot be left out: Dorothy and Marian.
Dorothy, who chose to become the symbol of surface reclamation beyond her hatred for the Ark, was corrupted in the battle defending the Ark and left the frontline. Conversely, Marian, who collapsed after losing her Core, inherited Only One's Core and the Queen Factor, deciding to become a Queen to protect her cherished ones. A Goddess who must return, and a Nikke who chose the path of a Queen herself. How these two will stand by the Commander's side is surely the most captivating story in this rally, isn't it?
Everyone has truly come a long way to reach this point. Beyond their individual tragedies, one hopes they can tell us the story of what comes after winning together. Assembled for humanity's hope, we eagerly await an ending where everyone can truly smile this time.
